Lawmakers are finalizing a state spending plan, and state university officials hope balancing the budget won’t require them to make more cuts. A report released by the Board of Regents last month says Kansas higher education has a big economic impact in the state. University of Kansas Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little realizes times are tough, but believes higher ed funding is worth it.
The report claims every state tax dollar spent returns around twelve dollars into the economy. That economic impact includes salaries and tax collections generated by universities. Legislators are trying to fill a projected 500 million dollar deficit in next fiscal year’s budget. Lawmakers return to Topeka next week to wrap up the legislative session.